Contributed by: sickboiChris(others by this writer | submit your own)Published on June 20th 2003Before anyone says it, I know this isn't the real "Black Flag". I am well aware of the almighty Greg Ginn and how there is no Black Flag without him. That being said, the tour is a benefit and is not being billed as a "Black Flag show".
The 9:30 Club fucking rocks. Good medium sized venue, drinks.

Before anyone says it, I know this isn't the real "Black Flag". I am well aware of the almighty Greg Ginn and how there is no Black Flag without him. That being said, the tour is a benefit and is not being billed as a "Black Flag show".

The 9:30 Club fucking rocks. Good medium sized venue, drinks are a little pricey, but eh, fuck it. A lot of good, larger name bands roll through, which is cool, because based on the smaller size of the 9:30, one would think most would opt for the larger capacity. So a good show at the 9:30 is a good show.

Q and Not U kicked the night off. Good set, and being the first time I had seen them, I was very impressed with the energy that goes into their live show. I don't own any albums, so don't ask me what they played. I was there for another reason.

The one downside to Q and not U opening was the opposition to the headliner. While both the music of Black Flag and QANU are experimental and abstract, one would think an opener for the music of Black Flag would have a much harder, intense, and brutal edge to it. No dice.

Keith Morris walked out on stage, proclaimed "Hi, we're the Rollins Band, My name is Keith" and jumped right into "Nervous Breakdown". The age, drinks and drugs can easily be seen in Keith's face, but not in his voice. Keith continued to crank out a few more Flag songs including "Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie", "Wasted"; and a few others that ain't coming to me right now.

After Keith walked off stage, there was a certain level of energy racing through the place. As the music for "Rise Above" began, the place erupted as Henry Rollins came on stage. But ole' Hank wasn't alone. By his side, singing backing vocals was Hank's old co-worker, and DC's favorite son, Ian MacKaye.

Further into the eve, the set consisted mostly of material from "Damaged", with the exception of "My War" and a few other miscellaneous songs. (no "Loose Nut", damn it)

In the encore, Hank opened with a brutal rendition of "Damaged I", which was shocking as I'd expect "Damaged II" would be a little more fan-friendly.

If Ian MacKaye is DC's favorite son, the red-headed stepchild would be Clutch's Neil Fallon. And to my shock, (I secretly suspected Ian's appearance) Neil made a brief appearance to do "American Waste". Off the hook.

When I saw them in Philly, they covered Sheena is a Punk Rocker and Time Bomb. It was an amazing set...although I would've loved to see them with Ian.

Anonymous (June 23, 2003)

They did "Time Bomb" and another cover that I don't remember.....Hank said "Time Bomb" was one of those songs he always wished he'd written.

-sickboi

Anonymous (June 23, 2003)

the chicago show was sweet, hey sickboi did they play any ramones covers in D.C. cause they did 4 for us and gave a shout out to wesley willis with a rock on london, rock on chicago before launching into rockaway beach(?) one of the best shows ever
-moldy

i was at this show too. i guess i'll add a few things to the review. first, i was in the 2nd row so i was basically face to face with henry. i could see the beads of sweat dripping off his face i was so close. keith was fucking amazing. did all the first 4 years shit. starting off with nervous breakdown-the crowd just went insane. then after his 15 minutes, henry jumps right out and the crowd goes insane. 'rise above' starts and out of the corner of my eye, i see ian and the crowd erupts again. amazing peformance. if you missed this show, you missed a once in a lifetime chance. maybe not if you can see the l.a. show w/ greg, but this is as close as you're gonna get to the flag. best night of my life. here's the setlist:

Nervous Breakdown
Ive Had it
Depression
Wasted
Fix Me
No Values
Revenge
Gimme Gimme Gimme
Rise Above (w/ Ian )
Cant Decide
Room 13
Jealous Again
Thirsty and Miserable
TV Party
Ive Heard it Before
No More
Police Story
What I See
Black Coffee
Slip It in
Six Pack
My War
Damaged 2
American Waste (guy from clutch did it)
Modern Man
Time Bomb (Ramones Cover)

Anonymous (June 21, 2003)

It makes me extremely angry that I forgot about this tour, and that the show rolled through Detroit last night, on a night where I didn't have anything to do...

Sickboi, upload all of your pictures somewhere online. I have no doubt that this show ripped. Of course I was not present, but I don't think many would argue. God, looking at Rollins and Ian on stage like that... The only word that really comes to mind is FIERCE. I do not care if that sounds lame.

Rollins has really slimmed down...he's not the hulking msucle beast we once was, now he's rip and agile. I heard he quit power lifting due to the possibilty of a back injury. Just thought that was an interesting fact, I still don't know anyone who'd last 5 seconds in a fight with him though.

I'm starting to feel that me reviewing the Chicago show on saturday would be a little redundant. Damn. i was looking forward to writing something

Anonymous (June 20, 2003)

Fuck! I saw this at Amoeba in LA back in Dec. and thought I had seen the best there is to offer. But now Hank comes out with Ian. Fucking nuts. Oh well, I get to look forward to Greg Ginn's Black Flag in Sept......I only hope Ginn get's it together well, as it is rumored Dukowski is not in and Keith is swaying. Maybe Rollins will decide to play a few more Cali shows, I hear the new rollins record is gonna slay.

Anonymous (June 20, 2003)

I saw this in Norfolk, VA last week. I wish I could follow this tour until it ends.